On behalf of the citizens of Spencer, the Business Community and Clay County – I am pleased to welcome RAGBRAI back to the Spencer area.
Spencer is a very friendly community, and we are excited to be hosting RAGBRAI this year on July 22, the first overnight stay. We have made many improvements to our town since RAGBRAI was here in 1999. Spencer offers a wide variety of activities for your enjoyment including 17 local parks and recreation areas with many miles of new walking and biking trails, Family Aquatic Center, YMCA, numerous state of the art tennis courts and soccer complex. Our two golf courses in town include our newly completed 18 hole Spencer Municipal Golf Course and an 18 hole course at the Spencer Country Club. We are also very proud of our brand new Middle School.
We have a Historic and Cultural Downtown District with lots of businesses and restaurants, many of which are housed in unique Art Deco buildings that were constructed after the Great Spencer Fire of 1931. Bogenrief Studios is home of one of the premier stained glass and blown glass makers in the world. They have established a beautiful glass art studio in the former US Post Office Building and present daily glass blowing demonstrations. Arts on Grand is an amazing art gallery with changing exhibitions and a gallery gift shop with original artwork by Midwestern artists. The Parker Museum is housed in a 1916 arts and crafts period, mission style house, and collects and displays Clay County history. Veterans Memorial, located on Grand Avenue, is a memorial to honor all men and women who served in every branch of the services. SCT Playhouse is a quality community theatre housed in a renovated 1920 grocer warehouse. “The Gathering”, Of Time, of Land, of Many Hands is a monument that celebrates community spirit. Located in East Leach Park, this beautiful structure, constructed by over 1000 Spencer citizens with 400 square feet of broken ceramic tile mosaics, is a series of murals that depicts life in the region.
In south Spencer you can find the Southpark Mall, a large enclosed shopping center with the luxurious, air conditioned, Spencer 7 Theatres. The Pinetree Plaza, Wal-Mart, Menards, and many other stores and restaurants are close by.
Spencer is an excellent and safe place to live, work and play, and our quality of life is exceptional. Enjoy your stay with us and take time to visit our local businesses and stores, parks, golf course, YMCA, or the local library! Again – Welcome to Spencer. Have a GREAT time here, and please come back to visit us often!
Sincerely,
Reynold Peterson
Mayor – Spencer, Iowa |
